A Federal High Court in Abuja has turned down a request by Senator Samuel Anyanwu, the embattled National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from enforcing his removal.

Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo, who presided over the case, ruled that Anyanwu must notify INEC and other involved parties before the court can make a decision.

On Wednesday, Anyanwu filed an urgent request, asking the court to stop INEC from accepting any documents from PDP unless they were signed by him.

His lawyer, K.C.O. Njemanze (SAN), also urged the court to prevent Ambassador Umar Illiya Damagun from sending any documents to INEC unless approved by Anyanwu.

Justice Ekwo acknowledged that the case was urgent but refused to grant Anyanwu’s request immediately. Instead, he ruled that all parties, including INEC and Damagun, must be heard before the court issues any order.

He instructed Anyanwu to serve court papers to the defendants and set February 24 as the date for the hearing.

This decision means that Anyanwu will have to argue his case in court with INEC and Damagun present before any ruling is made on his removal.